Training and developing professionals are tasked with the responsibility of evaluating the training needs of their companies/agencies. Typically, individuals who hold a master’s in training and development degree will develop relevant training materials and implement training programs, to name just a few.
A master’s degree in training and development might be an ideal academic degree choice for those students who enjoy educating others with the use of cutting-edge technologies, and improving their professional lives. Ultimately, a professional trainer seeks to create positive change for the organization and those who work for the organization.
And while most jobs in the training and development arena require a baccalaureate-level degree, the reality is that many employers prefer to hire a candidate with a master’s in training and development degree.
If a student makes a decision to enroll in a master’s in training and development program immediately after earning a bachelor’s degree, they might prefer the structure of a full-time master’s in training and development program in a traditional on-campus format. But for those who have been working professionally for some time, a part-time or an online master’s in training and development program might be a better fit. The best strategy is to take your time and decide which program will allow you to reach for your career objectives.
Graduates that hold a master’s in training and development find rewarding work opportunities in almost every industry – across sectors. Many work in the public school systems assisting with professional development for teachers and helping them integrate cutting-edge technology into their existing curriculum – upgrading the content to online delivered options.
Additionally, professional trainers find rewarding careers in the field of human resources – implementing corporate training initiatives to businesses, agencies, and nonprofit organizations.
The majority of master’s in training and development degree programs require one to three years to complete, depending on a student’s course load and the program’s mechanics. A graduate degree in training and development typically requires students to complete between 30 and 45 credit units to graduate, depending on the school and the program.
A master’s in training and development degree program may receive specialized accreditation through a number of accrediting agencies, depending on the degree’s exact academic perspective. For example, the program may be accredited by the AACSB (a business accrediting agency), the CAEP (an education accrediting agency), and the SHRM (the Society of Human Resource Management).
Colleges and Universities offer three primary types of master’s in training and development degrees – A Master of Science (MS) degree, a Master of Arts (MA) degree, and a Master of Professional Studies (MPS) degree. Examples of these degrees are shown below.
Top 10 Master’s in Training and Development
1. The University of North Texas (UNT)
The University of North Texas’s Information College offers a Master of Science degree (MS) in Workforce Learning & Performance that can be completed entirely online. Coursework for this master’s in training and development degree program includes foundations of workforce learning, interpersonal skills, diversity issues in applied technology, and needs analysis and curriculum development, to name a few.
- Total Tuition Fees – $ 10,000 (state resident)
- Credit Units Required – 36 credit units.
- Accreditation – SACSCOC
- Student Enrollment – 39,336
2. The University of Memphis (UM)
The University of Memphis (UM) offers a Master of Professional Studies (MPS) with an academic concentration in Training and Development that is available entirely online – two other concentrations in strategic leadership and human resources leadership. This interdisciplinary master’s in training and development degree program prepares students to evaluate and create instructional design techniques.
- Total Tuition Fees – $ 13,662
- Credit Units Required – 33 credit units.
- Accreditation – SACSCOC
- Student Enrollment – 21,685
3. Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU)
Middle Tennessee State University (Mid Tennesee) offers a Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in Training and Development that is available 100% online. MTSU’s master’s in training and development degree program includes classes in professional issues in ethics, leading organizational transformation, and statistical analysis, plus a professional project, to name a few. It has 5 concentrations, including Strategic Leadership, Human Resources Leadership, Training & Development, Leadership in Nutrition, and Operations Leadership.
- Total Tuition Fees – $ 14,910 (state resident)
- Credit Units Required – 30 credit units.
- Accreditation – SACSCOC
- Student Enrollment – 21,721
4. James Madison University (JMU)
James Madison University (James Madison) offers a Master of Science in Education degree (MSEd) with a concentration in Adult Education/Human Resource Development that allows for degree candidates to submit a thesis or research project to graduate. James Madison University’s master’s in adult education and resource development degree program also requires students to complete a written and an oral exam during their final semester. Classes for this graduate degree in training include learning in adulthood, leadership and facilitation, and foundations of adult education and human resource development, among others.
- Total Tuition Fees – $18,468 (in-state tuition)
- Credit Units Required – 36 minimum credits
- Accreditation – SACSCOC
- Student Enrollment – 21,820
5. Northwestern State University of Louisiana (NSU Global)
Northwestern State University of Louisiana’s Gallaspy Education and Human Development College offers a Master of Arts degree (MA) in Adult Learning and Development that provides students with three academic tracks – e-learning, homeland security, and adult and workforce development. Students enrolled learn techniques and tools to help those individuals interested in working with adult learners.
- Total Tuition Fees – $ 15,675 (state resident)
- Credit Units Required – 33 credit units.
- Accreditation – SACSCOC
- Student Enrollment – 10,900
6. leveland State University (CSU)
Cleveland State University‘s Education and Human Services College offers a Master of Education (MEd) degree program in Counseling, Administration, Supervision, and Adult Learning, with a concentration in Adult Learning and Development. Cleveland State University’s master’s in training, and development degree program offers students three academic concentrations – community education, higher education, and organizational learning.
- Total Tuition Fees – $ 17,025 (state resident)
- Credit Units Required – 30 credit units.
- Accreditation – HLC
- Student Enrollment – 8,413
7. The University of Wisconsin (UW Stout)
The University of Wisconsin (UW Stout) offers an online Master of Science in Training and Human Resource Development that offers degree candidates a polytechnic approach. Classes for UW Stout’s master’s in training and development degree program include learning technologies, organizational research methods, leading the learning function, and psychology of the adult learner, to name a few.
- Total Tuition Fees – $ 17,580
- Credit Units Required – 30 credit units.
- Accreditation – HLC
- Student Enrollment – 8,413
8. Roosevelt University (RU)
Roosevelt University’s Heller College of Business offers a Master of Arts degree (MATD) in Training and Development where students prepare for a wide array of careers in corporate training, E-Learning, instructional design, learning & development, consulting, talent management, and instructional technology. The program is mapped to the Association for Talent Development’s Capability Model, which sets the standard for excellence in our field, ensuring that students develop essential job-related skills. This accelerated Master’s Degree can be completed fully online in just 12 months or longer if students prefer.
- Total Tuition Fees – $ 20,797
- Credit Units Required – 36 credit units.
- Accreditation – HLC & AACSB
- Student Enrollment – 4,071
9. The University of St Francis (USF)
The University of St Francis (St Francis) offers a Master of Science in Training and Development that is designed to be completed in only one year for those students interested in accelerating their study time. The University of St Francis’ master’s in training and development degree program can be completed entirely online with classes.
- Total Tuition Fees – $ 26,928
- Credit Units Required – 36 credit units.
- Accreditation – HLC
- Student Enrollment – 3,776
10. Oakland University (OU)
Oakland University offers a master’s in training and development degree program that provides degree candidates with three academic concentrations – instructional design, organizational development, or a hybrid of both instructional design/organizational development. Oakland University’s graduate degree in training is available on the Rochester, Michigan campus.
- Total Tuition Fees – $ 37,092
- Credit Units Required – 36 to 44 credit units, depending on course pathway.
- Accreditation – HLC
- Student Enrollment – 19,013
Our Ranking Methodology
The master’s in training and development degree programs that have been noted above represent a cross-section of available programs both online and on-campus – including both public and private institutions of higher education. Additionally, the master’s in training and development degree programs selected represent a variety of concentrations within the training and development realm.
These master’s in training and development degree programs are ranked according to affordability, with the most affordable programs ranked first. Tuition fees for these master’s in training and development degree programs are disclosed for the entire program, which generally runs from one to five years, depending on if the student is full-time or part-time. Note that the most affordable online master’s degree programs are those that are offered by public higher learning institutions to those students who are in-state residents.
Tuition fees that have been used to evaluate the rankings are the latest fees as disclosed by the school/college/university or by the NCES‘ College Navigator website. The program costs are based on required units multiplied by the cost per graduate credit.
The information listed for each of the master’s in training and development degree programs also includes data students can use in deciding which of the programs would meet their academic and career objectives. This additional information includes –
- Total credit units required – helps students understand the depth and breadth of the graduate degree program in training and development.
- Accreditation status at the regional and/or specialized level.
- Student enrollment data – helps students gain a better perspective as to the school’s overall size.
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